AMERICAN LEGION : West Blows Past East in Playoffs

It was a long day for the East.

Three exceptional pitching performances paced all three Western Division representatives to victory Wednesday in first-round games of the American Legion District 20 double-elimination playoffs at Birmingham High School.

Dennis Moeller pitched a one-hitter and struck out 16 to lead Reseda-Cleveland to a 9-2 win over Sun Valley.

Moeller, a graduate of Cleveland High, lost his bid for a no-hitter with two outs in the seventh inning on an infield single by Dave Mendoza.

Moeller’s performance was especially impressive because he nursed a sore arm during the high school season.

Jim Miko drove in two runs with a bases-loaded double that keyed a six-run rally by Reseda-Cleveland in the eighth inning.

Sun Valley will play North Hollywood this morning at 9:30. Reseda-Cleveland will play Burbank at 1 p.m.

Brian Clancy pitched a complete game and struck out 12 as Reseda beat North Hollywood, 14-3.

Clancy, a graduate of Crespi High who will attend Loyola Marymount University, allowed seven hits.

Designated hitter Paris Sorianello led the Reseda offense with four hits. He scored twice.

Ron Ratliff and Brad Biggart hit home runs for North Hollywood and Merritt Robinson had three hits for the losers.

Reseda will play Woodland Hills (West) this afternoon at 4:30 p.m.

Woodland Hills (West), behind Craig Brink’s complete game, beat East division champion Burbank, 6-4. Brink, an Agoura High graduate who plays for UC Irvine, struck out four and did not walk a batter.

Joe Ferrone led the Woodland Hills offense with three hits and two runs batted in.